I think its the front shocks - mechanic reckoned they might be on their way out. Just turned 100k on 1.9tdi and going over speed bumps i get a squeak that sounds like its coming from the front passenger side - it sounds like a spring compressing, dumb question i know but is there an easy way of knowing if the shocks are gone?

They won't be totally gone, just almost.

At that mileage the top mounts will be on their way as well, and so will the lower wishbone bushes. Any of them can cause the speedbump squeak.